| PapaLazarou |
| (Mr Joyful) |
| 07/07/2008 12:38 |
Sigma telezoom to 400mm/500mm on EOS APS-C DSLR body
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I am thinking of getting one of the big sigma zooms with the 500mm tele end for use on a 1.6x body, anybody got any EXPERIENCE with such a set up?
I'm looking for direct user feedback only please, I've read various reviews and would welcome a valid personal opinion.
I also intend to use any lens on a 35mm EOS as well, so if anybody has any experience of this (not full frame digital, 35mm only, thanks) as well I look forward to your comments.
Many thanks
| Fen |
| (BAD WOLF) |
| 07/07/2008 13:15 |
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Re: Sigma telezoom to 400mm/500mm on EOS APS-C DSLR body
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I've got the Sigma 50mm-500mm (aka the BIGMA), but use it on my D3. You only want reviews from people using it on 35mm or APS-C bodies though.
| PapaLazarou |
| (Mr Joyful) |
| 07/07/2008 13:53 |
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Re: Sigma telezoom to 400mm/500mm on EOS APS-C DSLR body
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Hi Fen
Please share your experience of this lens, I was more hoping to avoid people of the 'have only seen it in a shop / read a review of it but have an opinion anyway' variety.
I won't be using it on a full frame DSLR so the characteristics are different but as you are an actual user please continue.
Cheers
| Fen |
| (BAD WOLF) |
| 07/07/2008 14:13 |
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Re: Sigma telezoom to 400mm/500mm on EOS APS-C DSLR body
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Quote:
Please share your experience of this lens, I was more hoping to avoid people of the 'have only seen it in a shop / read a review of it but have an opinion anyway' variety.
This isn't DPReview
The Bigma isn't the fastest lens in the world and I don't think you'd be able to keep up with sports cars, but for Nature I think it's a cracking lens.
The two gulls in this thread were taking using it.
Also, this one: Finch
I've also used it for street/general photography and find it to be superb.
The first three photos in this thread were taken with the Bigma.
It's big, it's heavy, but seems sharp enough at both ends. Adding it onto your camera will also make it into a 750mm (approx) lens which can't be bad
What are you planning on using it for?
| PapaLazarou |
| (Mr Joyful) |
| 07/07/2008 14:35 |
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Re: Sigma telezoom to 400mm/500mm on EOS APS-C DSLR body
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Cheers Fen
I have been getting more and more into the wildlife stuff, like the range that this lens potentially offers, I have a 70-300 IS lens which is nice and sharp and pretty fast focusing, but sometimes a wee bit extra reach would be nice and a very fast 200 2.8 and a not so fast 135 2.8, so I would probably pare my kit down to accomadate this lens (probably keeping the 200 2.8) I'm just trying to decide if its better to get a big cover all zoom and lose the brightness (also how is focussing speed? have you tried tracking af?) or stick with what I've got and maybe get a canon 2x for the 200...
| beejaybee |
| (Marvin) |
| 07/07/2008 16:57 |
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Re: Sigma telezoom to 400mm/500mm on EOS APS-C DSLR body
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Quote:
maybe get a canon 2x for the 200...
Compact, light, relatively inexpensive and works well... the extender slows the AF down a bit but I think you'd be as happy with the AF speed on a 200/2.8 X2 as you would be with the Bigma.
Of course the Bigma looks more impressive!
| Norman |
| () |
| 07/07/2008 17:55 |
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Re: Sigma telezoom to 400mm/500mm on EOS APS-C DSLR body
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I've had the 170-500 and 50-500 Sigmas. The 50-500 was/is a fine lens but I upgraded to Canon L lenses. I can recommend the 50-500 and can point you to a couple of reviews that helped me decide. clicky and clicky
I don't think there's much point in directing you to web images to demonstrate it's quality because at 600 or 800 pixels most cameras/lenses can impress.
| Roger_Provins |
| (Made-it Man) |
| 07/07/2008 18:06 |
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Re: Sigma telezoom to 400mm/500mm on EOS APS-C DSLR body
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I had a 170-500mm Sigma. It was quite sharp throughout the range but I found it too cumbersome and awkward (I have arthritic hands). I still have a Sigma 400mm f5.6 APO Macro (last they made in this series) it is extremely sharp, very smooth to use manually (if needed) and quite fast on auto-focus. I definitely recommend this lens - if you can find one.
| Dave_Cox |
| (old'n'grumpy) |
| 07/07/2008 18:40 |
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Re: Sigma telezoom to 400mm/500mm on EOS APS-C DSLR body
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I use the Bigma on the Pentax K10d (APS-C sensor). It's big and heavy but it's a good lens, not the fastest at focussing but that could be down to the Pentax's system. Needs a fast shutter speed even with the cameras anti-shake working though (or of course a tripod/monopod)..
I bought it mainly for wildlife and airshows, and for those it's ideal.
| Benchista |
| (Wich Tyler) |
| 07/07/2008 21:53 |
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Re: Sigma telezoom to 400mm/500mm on EOS APS-C DSLR body
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Certainly I'm a fan of the 200mm and 2X combination.